Both are fixtures in town, each in his own way. And Chilmark voters will be asked to choose one of the two candidates for selectman when they go to the polls next Wednesday.

Jonathan E. Mayhew is a lifelong resident and commercial fisherman who has served on numerous town boards, including selectmen, Martha’s Vineyard Commission, planning board and Dukes County Airport Commission. He is a familiar presence down on the Menemsha docks with his boat, the Quitsa Strider II.

Bill Rossi has lived in town since 1973 and is also a familiar face, having owned Rossi Landscapes for 20 years before going on to manage the Chilmark office of Wallace & Company real estate. He is also a fixture at the Chilmark Store, which he owned with his wife, Stephanie, from 2004 to 2007, and will return as owner this year after a three-year absence.

Both are vying for the seat left vacant by selectman J.B. Riggs Parker, who decided not to run for reelection this year after serving two terms. In separate interviews with the Gazette this week, Mr. Mayhew and Mr. Rossi revealed that they are not far apart on most of the major issues in town.

Bill Rossi — Jesse Lindley

And both carry a deep and abiding affection for Chilmark.

For Mr. Mayhew, 58, it would be a return to the board after stepping down in 1994 after three terms. He decided not to run again that year to focus on his fishing career, and has since served as president of the Atlantic Fish Spotters and board member of the Dukes County Fishermen’s Association, which advocates for sustainable fisheries on the Vineyard and around New England.

Since that time he also has been active in town government, serving on the planning board, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and the airport commission. He has two grown children, Brooke and Matthew, from a first marriage, and two young children, Christopher, 11, and Marguerite (Maggie), 10, with his wife, Anne.

Mr. Mayhew said he supports new guidelines for wind energy, and he believes the one-year moratorium proposed on the annual town meeting warrant is the best way to accomplish that goal. He said voters should not view the moratorium as something to dissuade people from building new wind energy systems, but a chance for the town to get it right.

“I support wind energy, but we need to do it right. I am interested in a two-pronged attack — we should consider changes to allow residents to join together to create community wind systems, and also promoting commercial wind turbines — as long as they are built in an appropriate location,” he said.

Mr. Mayhew opposes Cape Wind, because he believes it poses a threat to fishing and lobster grounds on Horseshoe Shoal. He hopes state and local officials decide to seriously explore the possibility of locating wind farms in federal waters, beyond the three-mile limit.

“We don’t need these large turbines a few miles from our shores. If it was up to me they would be 12 miles out ... we should be considering all options right now,” he said.

He supports the Middle Line Road affordable housing project, especially favoring the resident homesite part of the project, and remaining lukewarm about the rental part of the project.

“I am a strong supporter of the youth lots and resident homesite programs, I always have been. I think it’s the best way to give our young people and families a chance to stay here in town. Considering how expensive it is to live on the Island and in Chilmark, we need to help our young families find affordable housing opportunities,” he said.

And of course Mr. Mayhew strongly supports keeping Menemsha as a working fishing village.

“We should keep the short season, and keep things the way they are for the most part. I think we can balance the interests of commercial and recreational fishermen. For the most part [the commercial fishermen] go out early in the morning, and the [recreational] people go out later in the day. We can all co-exist, that includes tourists, beach-goers, everyone,” he said, adding:

“Granted it’s a balancing act with all these different groups. But I don’t think we should be making major changes. We want the [tourists] to come and spend their money, but we want to support the fishing industry. In its own way, fishing itself is a draw,” he said.

Mr. Rossi, 52, also takes a status quo approach to many issues. Community-service-minded, he decided to run for selectman after Mr. Parker announced he would not run for reelection. “I don’t think I would be comfortable running unless there was an open seat . . . for the most part I think the town is being well run,” he said.

He describes himself as a fiscal conservative. He would like to see more young people serve on town boards and committees, and he would like to assist the fire department recruit volunteer firemen and address safety issues for the growing number of cyclists in town.

“I’m not a hard-core cyclist. But I started riding more recently, and I learned quickly how dangerous it can be [for bikers]. We have some work to do finding a way for cyclists and motorists to share the roads,” he said.

Mr. Rossi and his wife have two children, Haley, 18, and Joseph, 14.

He served on the town planning board from 1986 to 1991, and was a member of the zoning board of appeals from 1996 until January of this year. For the last seven years he has been chairman. He too would like to see the zoning board craft new wind turbine regulations.

“Remember, not everyone feels the same way about this, not everybody wants wind turbines all over the horizon. And in a small town like this, we need to be respectful and considerate of our neighbors,” he said.

And he supports the wind turbine moratorium question on the warrant.

“It’s not a stance against wind power, quite the opposite,” he said.

Mr. Rossi agrees that the town should be wary of making drastic changes in Menemsha.

“Sure, it can be crowded down there in the summer. But we have one of the few truly public beaches on the Island that brings people into town, which is good for business. And we have an authentic fishing village that is a big asset to this town. I would not take the risk of making big changes down there,” he said.

His platform is simple: He will work to preserve the town’s rural character and maritime heritage.

“Look at where we live — it’s one of the greatest places in the world, and I want to keep it that way. That’s a big reason I am running; because it’s my home, and I love and enjoy it,” he said.

The Chilmark annual town election is Wednesday at the Community Center; polls are open from noon to 8 p.m.